Good questions......let me add a few.....why do doctor's admit patients inapporiately just because Tele is the only bed available, why do doctor's put a patient on a ventilator when the patient is a DNR, why doesn't my hosptial have a respiratory therapist when we admit ventilated patients...why don't we have a radiologist 24/7 in house....why does the staffing department only work 0600 - 1500....why do all assessments from other health care fields have to be done while I am assessing my patient or trying to give them a bath or change their dressing...why is it I have to drop everything I am doing to go answer a phone...and here I am going on to another day shift...why .....because I like what I do...hope your day gets better Dr.......cheers

I’m guessing that these things bother you because you are a caring, empathetic human being who always tries his best to treat people with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, most of the world doesn’t operate that way, and it grinds you down. Please, don’t change. We need compassionate people in health care. Don’t let the bad guys get you down.

That makes me think that you probably did write that post from your heart - I was hoping it was a cut and paste ...

You know, I sometimes wonder why physicians go into medicine at all. It's got to be one of the most demanding, thankless and unforgiving of all professions ... you're not allowed to be human ... have bad days ... be tired ... be in a bad mood ... have a head ache ... have a personal life ... or ... make a mistake.

Please hang in there. You know ... you will always have the satisfaction of knowing that you're doing something good ... and through the fatigue and the fog of putting one foot in front of the other, day after day, you'll still be able to feel good about yourself.

No, it's not enough ...

... so ...

... blog your little heart out, and we'll all be here to listen, and do our best to support you - and each other.

Sounds like a pretty tough call night, Dr. A. That your post went up at 3:30 a.m. says something about the state of mind it put you in, too. Your frustrations reveal what a caring human being you are, and (from what I can tell through your writing) a sensitive and intelligent physician. All the bureaucratic (sp?) BS in hospitals can surely make it hard to remember why we went into medicine in the first place. Sometimes I wish I were a simple healer in an earlier time.

If you don't have some vacation time coming up soon, then I hope the support of your blogging community is a comfort to you. I think most of us are of like mind...

You're a very considerate and intelligent doctor, who hopefully one day will be in a position of power to change some of these things...don't let the "blob" swallow you up and spit out a mechanical version of you! Stick to your guns, and stand firm!! I would rather IT changed, than YOU with all of your good qualities.

We have to accept the reality that no one else can really give you all the answers and that you must come to your own decisions to accept or refuse, do or not do what you think is the right answer. Easier said than done! Still, these questions are some of the wonderful challenges we face every day in our practice. In addition it's quite pleasant to grumble and blow steam off every so often to let the world know of your troubles!

Think you should have hung out at the Hawaiian BA meeting a little longer, Dr. A!Sounds like you had a rough night on call and it impacts you more because you are a caring and considerate doctor. I hope a good night sleep puts a fresh face on things.

Oh, um...er....I'm sorry that I'm one who has called their physician for medication refills - although not 5 minutes before the office closes and I'm always very aware of the fact that just because I called for it at a certain time doesn't mean it will happen that day. However, I do feel guilty for my occasional "poor planning." I guess my only excuse (and it is, afterall, an excuse) is that with the number of medications I'm on and the fact that some have to be filled every month while others have a 3 month supply, sometimes it is very difficult for me to keep track of what needs to be refilled when! But since you brought it up, I apologize to you in the hopes that my apology will carry over to all physicians I've ever done this to!